Paintings and Other Media by Judi Harvest. Carnevale exhibits works by Harvest that were inspired by the Opera House (Il Teatro La Fenice) in Venice. The art in this show was made mostly in 1997 incorporating materials similar to those found in the aftermath of the devastating fire in January 1996, which Harvest witnessed firsthand. The artist incorporates velvet, ash, gold leaf, and glass in these works as well as objects from Venice itself, such as an 18th century children's gondola.
Paintings and Other Media by Judi Harvest
New York, NY - Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art (PSCA) announces the opening of a
new exhibit entitled Carnevale, featuring oil paintings on canvas and conceptual
works in various media by New York-based artist Judi Harvest.
Carnevale exhibits works by Harvest that were inspired by the Opera House (Il
Teatro La Fenice) in Venice. The art in this show was made mostly in 1997
incorporating materials similar to those found in the aftermath of the
devastating fire in January 1996, which Harvest witnessed firsthand. The artist
incorporates velvet, ash, gold leaf, and glass in these works as well as objects
from Venice itself, such as an 18th century children's gondola.
Harvest's work is imbued with broad gestural strokes, whether they be paintings,
installations, sculptures, or videos. The intense reds and yellows, the burned
velvet, and the scale of Burnt Velvet, for example, immediately brings the
viewer into the rarified world of 18th century Venice. It tells a story of a
time gone by in a structure that is both maintained and maligned. The operatic
nature of the hall is supplanted by the theatrical inferno that engulfed it, the
real life tear-jerker that has played on this stage three times.
The conceptual and chronological basis for the show is the much heralded
reopening of the Opera House and the traditional festival of carnival or
Carnevale which occurs in February each year. These works have never before
been seen in a solo show in New York City.
Il Teatro La Fenice is the theater of the Phoenix. Three times it has burned
and subsequently was rebuilt. Harvest's work is now ready to rise again to meet
a new audience in New York. According to Harvest, this work "is not just about
Venice. it is about life, death, and rebirth. Life without death is not life.
Art is the only way we have of keeping life alive, and death from its finality."
(From the catalogue Rhinoscimento 2001, published in conjunction with a show of
this work in Venice in 2001.)
This is Harvest's first solo show at PSCA. The artist and PSCA collaborated on
a catalogue, published this past summer, entitled Fragmented Peace, wherein Paul
Sharpe wrote the catalogue essay. Harvest, who lives in New York, frequently
returns to Venice and to Murano to complete her artworks. She first visited
Venice in 1973.
Opening February 4th, 6 - 9 PM, thru February 28th.
ADMISSION Free
RSVP 646 613 1252
ON VIEW February 4 - 28 2004
The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, Noon to 6 PM, and by
appointment.
paul sharpe contemporary art
PSCA is founded on the premise that the artist comes first and is the raison
d'être of the art world. The role of the gallerist is to nurture creative
accomplishment and to cultivate the collectors and curators who can sustain
artists. The artists represented are those whose work one would wish to collect
and to enjoy, while helping to support their careers. PSCA is led by Paul
Sharpe, formerly of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
The space itself is meant to encourage a dialogue in issues in art today and as
such is designed as a salon rather than a white box. The color scheme is blue,
camel, and white and it is inspired by a Justin Knowles painting of the mid
1960s. The concept is to create a space where artist and art lovers can
congregate and appreciate fine contemporary art.
artists represented
Robert Appleton Carlos Bandres Amaya Bozal Alfredo
Cannata
Anton Christian Craig Coleman Arturo Cuenca Linda
Cummings
Fairfax Dorn Gloria Garfinkel Laura Harrison
Lenore RS Lim
Katy Martin Robinson Murray Martin Penrose John
Costa Rosis
Alex Serna Dylan Blue Stone Tattfoo Tan
Lee Whittier
work available
Amos Badertscher Judi Harvest Jeff Kowatch
Michelle Mackey
Robin Richmond
Image: What Color Is The Water In Venice, 1997, Oil on Linen with Velvet, 60 x 48
Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art
86 Walker Street Floor Six New York NY 10013
646 613 1252